the Atlantic hurricane season spun north of Bermuda.

A disturbance some 200 nautical miles to the west of the Island at around 11 a.m. yesterday became Tropical Storm Bill when its winds were reported at around 45 knots.

The warning was put in effect immediately.

At 6 p.m. Bill was 150 nautical miles west-northwest of the Island at latitude 33.6 north, longitude 67.3 west.

It was moving northeast at 18 knots and was expected to continue in that direction for at least 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds were clocked at 45 knots with gusts to 55 knots.

The warning remained in effect last night as a precaution.

It was not known whether higher winds could be following in the storm's wake.

If none appeared, the warning was expected to be lifted after midnight, a Bermuda Weather Service spokesman said.

Earlier, meteorologist Jimmy James said the disturbance -- which later became Bill -- had been monitored since 5.30 a.m. yesterday morning as forecasters at the National Hurricane Centre in Miami were suspicious of it.

He said the forecasters contacted BWS at 11 a.m. when one of their aircraft returned from a reconnaissance flight reporting 45 knot winds in Bill's centre.

While the storm was not expected to hit Bermuda directly, Miami forecasters recommended issuing a tropical storm warning as the Island could expect swells from the west and thunderstorms.

Mr. James noted that if Bill had deviated south off its expected track by five or ten degrees when it was first located yesterday morning, it would have come much closer to Bermuda.

However the storm's closest point came at 8 p.m. last night when it passed 148 nautical miles to the northwest of the Island.

The first tropical storm of the season, Ana, formed on July 1 off the North Carolina coast but bypassed Bermuda and faded as it moved northeast in the Atlantic without touching land.

News of the storm can be obtained over the weekend by calling 9773. The forecast will be updated every six hours, starting at midnight.

WEATHER WEA